Ian
Tilmann was a Street Skater who loved to Longboard with his crew until the wee hours of the morning. Ian had a Longboard passion for bombing hills, garages and sliding ramps and truck wells. Ian had a Street Skaters attitude about helmets…he did not think it was cool or necessary to wear one when Skating. In 2005, on a warm July evening Ian took off with his crew to bomb “Cemetery Hill” in Clearwater Florida.

Ian had bombed that Hill a 1000 times and yet that night was his last, as he was thrown from his Longboard after a “speed wobble & wheel bite”. Ian suffered Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from a deep skull fracture and was rushed to the hospital. Ian was in coma for ten days as Surgeons and Nurses struggled to save him. On July 26, 2005 Ian died. Ian’s Mom, Dad and family were devastated by Ian’s death and the inevitable question; Why did this happen? Would a helmet have saved Ian’s life that fateful night? The answer to that question and how Ian’s Mom, Marcy Tilmann resolved these issue are shared in Ian’s Story by Roxanne Wilder of Catch 47 TV Tampa Florida. This heartfelt report is an excellent introduction to Marcy Tilmann, the Mom who decided to reach all Skaters.

Learn more about Ian Tilmann
and his life
growing up in Clearwater, Florida. Ian was a
musically talented, played brass horns Band and Bugle Corps. Ian was a
US Marine and joined
upon turning 18. After 4 years and his Honorable Discharge Ian returned
to civilian life to pursue his dreams. Learn more about Ian and how his
dreams were cut short by a tragic Life Decision at: About
Ian Tilmann.

The
Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc.
is a
501.3c charity based in Safety Harbor, Florida (Tampa
Bay). The mission of The Ian Tilmann Foundation is
prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a focus on
Skateboarding. We accomplish our mission with programs
designed for Skaters. The Foundation is pro-active in
reaching out to Skaters nationwide working with “Old
School” Skaters creating a movement and positive
force in the world of Skateboarding. Skaters of all ages
including “Old School” Skaters (over 30), Longboarders,
Street Skaters, Bowl, Vert and Skate Park Riders who
always wear helmets are signing up to join “Helmet
Nation”. This is a mass movement of Skaters who choose
to wear helmets and encourage others to do the same.
Those Skaters who join “Helmet Nation” help us to reach
Skaters who need a helmet but can not afford the $40-60
to buy one. Skaters can receive a FREE helmet if they
attend one of our events.
Learn more at.…The
Foundation

Helmet
Nation is an OPT-IN movement of
Skaters who choose to wear helmets whenever they
Skate. Helmet Nation seeks commitment to promote
Skating “Smart” knowing full well there is nothing safe
about extreme action sports and Skateboarding in
particular. Many Skaters know the truth because they
have been there, fallen many times as they became
Masters of the sport. Most Skaters are in total denial
about the risks of TBI and the need for helmets. The
fact is in 2009, over 23,000 head injuries were treated in
Emergency Room from Skateboarding. That equates to 3
Skating TBI’s every hour of every day for the entire year.
Helmet Nation knows the facts and make the smart choice
to wear a helmet when ever they Skate. There is only
one proven cure for Traumatic Brain Injury….it is called
PREVENTION!

Old School
Skaters (Over 30) are stepping up to volunteer
their time and effort to build Helmet Nation. Old School
Skaters have learned from experience the value of a good
helmet. Pro Skaters Steve Steadham and Lester Kasai
have joined Helmet Nation and promote Skate events
across the Nation in partnership with the Foundation
and our Sponsors. Helmet Nation volunteers produce
Skate events benefiting the Foundation at public and
private Skate Parks; Youth Clubs, and Skate Ministries.
Longboard Clubs from communities and campus are
holding Rallies, Contests and “Skate-athons” to raise
funds for helmets. Helmet Nation is driven by the desire
to “Pay It Forward” and help other Skaters who need
helmets but can not afford them. Helmet Nation works
together to raise funds for the “Helmet for a Promise”
program. We ask smart Skaters everywhere to step up
and join our movement to build Helmet Nation in the
Skate World…one Brain at a time.

The
Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc.
operates in memory of Ian Tilmann who died from a
Skateboarding accident in 2005. The Foundation was
established in November, 2005 by Marcy Tilmann,
President with funds donated for Ian’s rehabilitation while
he was in the Hospital. Marcy launched the “Helmet for
a Promise” program from her home where it still operates
today. Since Ian's death the Foundation has given over
3,500 FREE Helmets to skaters who promise to wear
them.

The Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc. was
incorporated in November 2005 as a Florida Non-Profit
corporation. The Foundation is certified as a Public
Charity under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) with
Florida Tax Exemption Certification.